Bunyan canteen serves up history of wartime catering

Bunyan canteen during World War One in Bedford.

How soldiers were fed and watered during World War 1 in Bedford is revealed in the ‘Bunyan Canteen’.

Bunyan Meeting and John Bunyan Museum are transforming the large hall back into the canteen set-up for soldiers during World War I, on Saturday, August 2, between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

There will be fun for all the family with wartime themed food, songs and sing-alongs, and children’s craft activities, as the church’s large hall is turned back 100 years into the canteen of the period.

The event is part of the exhibition Lest we forget, as John Bunyan Museum and Bunyan Meeting commemorates the start of World War I in 1914, and runs until November 1.

During World War I, the women of Bunyan Meeting turned the Sunday Schoolroom into a canteen for the soldiers stationed in the town, serving food and drink to the men, and making a welcoming space available with music, games and writing materials.

The canteen ran for five years and served men from around the world.

Children can learn more about World War I and be inspired every Thursday in August with activities from 11.30am until 3.30pm drop-in. The cost is £2 a child for ages four and over.

The John Bunyan Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am until – 4pm and admission is free.

For more details contact the curator Nicola Sherhod on 01234 270303 or email curator@bunyanmeeting.co.uk, visit www.bunyanmeeting.co.uk/museum